'Be a Taoiseach for everybody and do something about regional disparity,' says TD Marian Harkin

Sligo Leitrim TD Marian Harkin told newly elected Taoiseach Simon Harris to live up to his commitment to be a Taoiseach for everybody and, unlike his two predecessors, acknowledge the reality of regional disparity and do something about it.

"Taoiseach, I have failed, despite many efforts and volumes of statistics, to convince the two previous Taoisigh of the urgent need for policy change when it comes to systemically delivering on balanced regional development. I am now asking you as the current Taoiseach to listen and act," Deputy Harkin said.

"The failure of this and previous Governments to deliver for the Northwest is plain to be seen in the contents of one objective report after another. The EU Commission, in its country report for Ireland for 2023 stated that internal regional disparities remained high in Ireland and quoted figures showing the disposable income per head of population in the Northern and Western region stood at just 76% of the EU average.

"Taoiseach, back in 2010, it was at 92% of the EU average, so we're going backwards compared to European regions and other regions in Ireland.

"The EU's regional competitiveness index for 2022 found again that the Northern and Western region was the only region in Ireland below the EU 27 average in terms of competitiveness.

"Taoiseach," Ms Harkin continued, "I quote all these figures because I want to make it crystal clear to you that this isn't just my opinion or some kind of political charge, these are the facts, and they are the outcome of Government action or mostly Government inaction.

"Small businesses urgently need your support and businesses particularly along the border have exceptional difficulties and I'm asking you to do what you can to support them. I also want you to listen to our farmers to work with them because they are the backbone of the rural economy.

"I know you have the capacity to listen and act as evidenced by your genuine collaboration and work on the incorporation of Saint Angela's into the Atlantic Technical University.

"As you begin your term of office, I hope you bring the same resolve to tackling the systemic issues affecting the lives of citizens in the Northern and Western Region who are clearly being left behind," Deputy Harkin concluded.